Private Tour
All Inclusive Private Beijing Tour: Ming Tombs, Sacred Way and Summer Palace
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Looking to pack as much history and culture into your Beijing visit? Look no further than the all-inclusive private tour that takes you to the Ming Tombs, Sacred Way, and Summer Palace. Step back in time as you explore the final resting place of 13 emperors from the Ming Dynasty at the hauntingly beautiful Ming Tombs. Walk along the Sacred Way, lined with stone statues of animals and officials meant to protect the tombs, before heading over to the magnificent Summer Palace - a sprawling complex of gardens, temples, and palaces where emperors once escaped the summer heat. With a knowledgeable guide by your side providing fascinating insights into each site, this tour offers a rich and immersive experience of Beijing's imperial past.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Entrance fee
Bottled water
Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (hotels within the 4th ring road)
Lunch
Transport by private vehicle
Gratuities
Boat Cruise inside the Summer Palace
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Ming Tombs (Ming Shishan Ling)
Your professional guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel in Beijing. Sit back and relax as you start your journey to explore the rich imperial history of Beijing. Sacred Way Upon arrival, you will walk along the Sacred Way. This ancient path is lined with a series of impressive stone statues, including lions, elephants, camels, and officials. These statues were placed here to stand guard and protect the tombs of the emperors. As you stroll along the Sacred Way, your guide will share interesting stories and historical facts about these sculptures and their significance in Chinese imperial culture.
Dingling Underground Palace
For Ming Tombs experience, you can choose either Dingling or Changling. If you choose Dingling, you will visit the tomb of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses. Dingling is the only tomb among the Ming Tombs that has been excavated so far. You can explore the underground palaces, which are a remarkable feat of ancient architecture. Admire the stone carvings and the grandeur of the burial chambers, learning about the burial customs and the life of the Ming emperors. For Changling, it is the tomb of Emperor Zhu Di, the third emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Changling is known for its magnificent main hall, the Ling'en Hall. This hall is one of the largest wooden structures in China, built with precious nanmu wood. The hall is filled with historical artifacts and displays, allowing you to gain a deeper understanding of the Ming Dynasty's power and prosperity.
Options
Private Tour
Tour guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel by holding your name sign
Pickup included
Reviews
12 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A glimpse into the lives of the Chinese Emporers
Alan B,
Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Very interesting historical sites giving us a look back at the days of the Chinese Emperors. Very helpful, informative and pleasant guide (Ashley) who made our day such fun
Ming Tombs Private Tour...
EdmondKamHung L,
Jul 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Ming Tombs Private Tour on Fri, June 27, 2025 At 7:30 am Very poor experience. The tour guide " Ben " very unprofessional, he was walking on his own pace, doing upper body exercise at all time, swing and stretching his both upper arms. He never care our walking pace and stop for photo taking. He just keep walking and we have to walk fast to catch up to his walking. He has an attitude. Minimal description to the history site and history of Ming Tombs. He forced us to choose either Ming tombs ( Ming Shishan Ling ) or Dingling ( Underground Palace ). He said this tour is only cover one of the visiting site, not both. As I remember to sign up this tour, the description of the tour will cover both site. Finally, we decided to choose Dingling. He never off a bottle of water. The entire tour was in a rush. The tour finished around 2:15 pm back to hotel. We can easily have time to visit Ming Shihan Ling. He said just a building , nothing to see, therefore we chosen Dingling Underground Palace instead. Ben is very unprofessional, should not be a tour guide. Viator should not use this tour company and assign and tour to " Ben " . It left a sour taste to this tour. We paid C$526.48 for two persons. The entire private tour doesn't worth a dime. We would like to have a refund on this trip. Never refer to this tour company, especially the tour guide " Ben ". would not recommended this private tour to any future travelers.
Memorable visit to Summer Palace
Nishani D,
Jul 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lucy was a great tour guide to the Ming Tombs and Summer Palace. She was very informative and gave great historical background information throughout the tour. She let us dictate how much we wanted to see and the pace we wanted to go. Would recommend!
Enthusiastic tour guide
Maribelle B,
May 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour was very nice with our enthusiastic tour guide Lily. She reveals very interesting stories about the emperors and empresses of the period. She seems to be very knowledgeable, and very accommodating too. After the tour she even made us a video which we appreciate.
Effortless Day & Enjoyable
Kevin K,
Apr 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good tour to see 2 landmarks in Beijing. Summer Palace was busy, but our guide was great helping us navigate it. Ming Tomb was not crowded and a great experience. Lunch was also very tasty. Overall, our guide Eric and driver, John, were great and made for an effortless day. Very fun and enjoyable.
Just amazing
Elisa B,
Apr 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Cherry was very professional, nice and funny! Everything we have seen was amazing! The whole trip was sooooo relaxing! My partner and I highly recommend to take this trip
Fantastic day trip to Ming tombs and Summer Palace
alviarin99,
May 8, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience with Jack, it was well planned and Jack shared a lot of fascinating historical anecdotes and points of interest during the tour. The Ding tomb is the only tomb where you can enter the underground crypt and this was such an eye opener compared to my previous visit to another of the Ming tombs where it was only the aboveground portion. We were very well looked after from the point of pickup until the end of the tour, with drinking water and snacks provided in the car. The pace of the tour was just right and not tiring at all. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone keen on visiting the Ming tombs and Summer palace.
A Royally Beautiful Day
Juliana M,
Apr 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was absolutely perfect;, the sites are incredible and the guides excellent at their work. Judy shared the history of the sites and ensured all our needs were met, including arranging a delicious local lunch that met serious food restrictions. Mr. Yun made sure we arrived comfortably and safely. The Sacred Walk to the Emperors Tomb is beautiful, the Emperor’s Tomb is fascinating, and the Summer palace is unforgettable.
Professional and impressive tour guide.
WooiChee T,
Apr 8, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour guide is very professional, friendly and knowledgeable. All the instruction is very clear and easy to follow. We are really enjoy the trip.
Great time!
ashleyzangara,
Jan 9, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a fantastic experience on Saturday with Lucy and on Sunday with Edward. Lucy picked me up from my hotel at 6 pm and we saw a number of different places, including Tiananmen Square, The Place, and Hutong Street (loved Hutong Street). On Sunday, Edward picked me up at 9 am and we went to Temple of Heaven, Ming Dynasty Tombs and a jade factory! Edward shared the history and relevant background info throughout the entire tour , which was made for a great learning experience. I will definitely be booking another tour in the future. This is so fun to do when traveling solo.
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Operated by Unique Beijing Tours